Movies like Initial D: Third Stage
If Initial D: Third Stage hooked you with its action and animation, these are the films to watch next. Every pick says why it matches.
Initial D Legend 1: Awakening (2014)
Koichiro of the Akina Speedstars witnesses a mysterious driver outmaneuver rival Keisuke of the Akagi RedSuns. The race, he later discovers, was won by none other than his own co-worker, Takumi. What happens next is the stuff of street racing legend!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisInitial D Legend 2: Racer (2015)
The leader of rival group Myogi NightKids, Takeshi, wants to challenge the now infamous Takumi in a race down Akina. As Takumi questions his identity as a racer, he discovers that, behind the wheel, there’s more to lose than just a simple race.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisInitial D Legend 3: Dream (2016)
Takumi Fujiawara has garnered the attention of the street racer Ryousuke Takahashi, leader of the RedSuns. As he prepares for the biggest race in his life, Takumi finds himself trying to juggle his passion for racing with his personal life.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisArpeggio of Blue Steel -Ars Nova Cadenza- (2015)
The group of privateers known as the Blue Steel continues their mission to deliver blueprints of the Vibration Warhead Torpedo, a weapon that may turn the tides of war in their favor, to the United States. However, a new threat arises from their enemy, the overwhelming Fleet of Fog in the form of "The Student Council", a group of warships composed of the remaining Mental Models, the ships' humanoid avatars, who have yet to face the unpredictable captain of the Blue Steel, Gunzou Chihaya. As the Blue Steel gets closer to understanding the origins of the authority controlling the enemy, Iona's past reveals the beginning of the war and her reason for siding with humanity.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & animation
Lupin the Third: Prison of the Past (2019)
To rescue a famous criminal from imprisonment, Lupin and his team infiltrate the Kingdom of Dorrente. While the skillful thieves from around the world are gathering, Lupin tries to reveal the secret hidden in the kingdom.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
For Love's Sake (2012)
Troubled high school student Makoto arrives in Tokyo to exact revenge from a past incident. He then falls in love at first sight with Ai, a daughter raised in a wholesome family. Around Makoto and Ai are Iwashimizu, who has feelings for Ai and Gamuko, a gang member who eyes Makoto.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both romance
Initial D (2005)
After winning his first competition, Takumi focuses his attention on drift racing, a sport he has unknowingly perfected while delivering tofu in his father's Toyota AE86.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYowamushi Pedal: Spare Bike (2016)
These are the recollections of a group of men who bet everything on their bicycles. The central pillars of their respective teams, the third years. New stories revealing their pasts are about to begin!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Erased (2016)
Struggling manga author Satoru Fujinuma is beset by his fear to express himself. However, he has a supernatural ability of being forced to prevent deaths and catastrophes by being sent back in time before the incident occurred, repeating time until the accident is prevented. One day, he gets involved in an accident that has him framed as a murderer. Desperate to save the victim, he sends himself back in time only to find himself as a grade-schooler one month before fellow classmate Kayo Hinazuki went missing. Satoru now embarks on a new quest: to save Kayo and solve the mystery behind her disappearance.
Why it matches: Fans watch both
The Royal Tutor Movie (2019)
The four princes of the Kingdom of Granzreich are aiming to become the next king. Under the guidance of the royal tutor Heine Wittgenstein, while overcoming various obstacles and sometimes hesitating, they grow little by little. Appearing before them are twin princes from the Kingdom of Romano. Even though these princes look cute on the surface, they are actually extremely sadistic...! Towards such an unprecedented crisis, Heine and the four princes perform "educational guidance"!?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Nasu: Summer in Andalusia (2003)
Pepe Benengeli is a second-class cyclist, only there to support the star member of the team. This summer he is participating in the Tour of Spain, which passes through the streets of his hometown of Andalusia. In a coincidence, his brother and ex-girlfriend are getting married on the same day as the climax of the race. Pepe, who left his hometown after suffering a breakdown, is determined to achieve something special on this day.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya: Licht Nameless Girl (2021)
The world is dying, no longer able to support life. The Ainsworth family can use the Holy Grail to save humanity, but the price of salvation is sacrifice of the magical girl Miyu — but Miyu’s brother, Shirou, won’t let them have her without a fight. Now it’s up to Illya to step in and find a solution that will save not only Miyu, but the entire world for impending doom. But when the price for the world's salvation is the life of a single, innocent girl, what will Illya choose?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & animation
20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope (2009)
Set 15 years after "Twentieth Century Boys," Kanna (Airi Taira) reunites with several main characters from the first film in an attempt to stop Friend's increasing influence over the world and continued plans to eliminate humanity, as detailed in the New Book of Prophecy.
Why it matches: Fans watch both
Popcorn FlickMovies like this20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009)
The final showdown, and the final reveal. Who is Friend? How can he be stopped?
Why it matches: Fans watch both
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInitial D: Battle Stage 2 (2007)
Initial D Battle Stage 2 summarizes the major street races from the Initial D: Fourth Stage. Two races that were previously seen only in the manga were animated specially for this OVA. The first race is Takahashi Keisuke vs. Smiley Sakai, and the other is Keisuke vs. Kawai Atsuro.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- (2024)
When apathetic gamer Nagi agrees to join his rich classmate Mikage in soccer, their partnership leads to the famous Blue Lock program — and to changes.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLupin III: The First (2019)
The iconic "gentleman thief" Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary, before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGhost in the Shell (1995)
In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster' begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisYour Name. (2016)
High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRedline (2009)
A daredevil driver is determined to compete in Redline, the most popular race in the galaxy. The race only occurs every five years, but in order to participate he must overcome the mafia, the government and even love.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKaiji: Final Game (2020)
Kaiji is about to have his life changed. The thrill is beyond anything he, or most people, have experienced. The adventure is not without risk and danger however. He is given four games, which are challenges, and include life and death situations.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase (2007)
Legendary bicycle racer Marco Rondanini dies as team Pao Pao Beer is set to race in Japan. Team member Ciocci, close friend of Marco, starts to think about quitting. Under heavy rain, Ciocci and Pepe must put that aside as Team Pao Pao struggles to reach another victory. Pepe continues to ride his bicycle both in competition and training. He often spends time with his other team mates while they train in beautiful scenery in Japan. While in Japan a local girl helps out the team before and during the race.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Initial D: Extra Stage 2 - Green Departure (2008)
Iketani missed an opportunity to see Mako-chan and hates himself for never calling to say he was sorry. By chance, he runs into her 6 months later, and the situation is awkward. Iketani does not have a chance to talk, but both want to talk, so they arrange a second meeting. Iketani goes to the meeting place early, but an old man was left behind from a tourist bus, and asks Iketani to catch the bus for him. Iketani, being a nice guy, can't say no.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
A Silent Voice: The Movie (2016)
Shouya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shouko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the rest of the class starts to turn on Shouya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other again... until an older, wiser Shouya, tormented by his past behaviour, decides he must see Shouko once more. He wants to atone for his sins, but is it already too late...?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAkira (1988)
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisYowamushi Pedal: The Movie (2015)
After winning the fierce Inter High race, Sakamichi and the other Souhoku team members receive an invitation to compete in the Kumamoto Hi Province Mountain Range Race towards the end of summer. The top-tier teams from around the country compete in this race, including Souhoku's rivals Hakone Academy (which yearns to take down Souhoku), Kyoto Fushimi, and Hiroshima Kureminami - as well as Kumamoto Daiichi High School's team led by Shin Yoshimoto.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & animation
100 METERS (2025)
A gifted runner trains a determined but unskilled classmate, unaware he's creating a rival who will challenge him on the track for years to come.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSlam Dunk 3: Crisis of Shohoku School (1995)
After losing the titanic match against Kainan High, Team Shohoku and a newly shaven Hanamichi Sakuragi are challenged to an exhibition match by virtual basketball unknowns Ryoukufu High. Coach Anzai sees this as an opportunity for Shohoku to regain their confidence, but Ryoukufu are revealed to have a newly assembled championship calibre lineup and may give Sakuragi & Co their toughest test yet.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Over Drive (2018)
At the SCRS (Seiko Cup Rally Series), talented young drivers hope to advance to the WRC (World Rally Championship). Atsuhiro Hiyama is the chief mechanic and an engineer at Supika Racing Factory. He is well regarded by his peers. His younger brother is Naozumi. He is an extremely gifted driver for Supika Racing Factory, but he is also a troublemaker. They continually argue because of Naozumi's reckless racing style. One day, Hikaru Endo becomes his manager.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (2025)
In a brutal war between devils, hunters, and secret enemies, a mysterious girl named Reze has stepped into Denji's world, and he faces his deadliest battle yet, fueled by love in a world where survival knows no rules.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Initial D: Third Stage?
The closest matches to Initial D: Third Stage are Initial D Legend 1: Awakening, Initial D Legend 2: Racer, Initial D Legend 3: Dream.
How are movies similar to Initial D: Third Stage chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Initial D: Third Stage, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.
Are there Japanese movies like Initial D: Third Stage?
Yes: Initial D Legend 1: Awakening, Initial D Legend 2: Racer, Initial D Legend 3: Dream.